Cinekid Festival Programme: Travel Through Time and Across the Country

The theme is reflected in both the films and series, as well as in the MediaLab. In the animated film Mary Anning (Marcel Barelli), we dive into the past through the story of a trailblazing paleontologist. In The Secret Floor, young Karli takes an elevator to a hidden floor and ends up in the year 1938. In the opening film Koning van de Zwervers (Janne Schmidt), the main character time-travels in his mind.

The MediaLab also offers interactive time travel experiences. Ancestors (Junior) (The Smartphone Orchestra) takes you on a journey into the future, where you meet your future children and grandchildren. In Transformirror (Kyle McDonald and Daito Manabe), you see yourself in future professions. Younger visitors can enjoy Animagic in the MiniLab, where they draw and animate historical figures, or design the city of tomorrow in the WonderWorld toddler

In addition to premieres of films such as Space Cadet (Eric San), Arco (Ugo Bienvenu), Mira (Marie Limkilde), and Hola Frida! (André Kadi, Karine Vézina), Cinekid will premiere no fewer than eleven new series this year.

Among them: Said and Anna 2, accompanied by a real-life repair café where children can get broken items fixed. After the screening of Fri Fri Suriname – 50 Years of Independence (NTR), you can enjoy delicious Surinamese snacks. We also learn more about Ramadan through the series All You Can Eid (NPO Zapp, NTR).

Football fans can train from their theater seats as Nizar El Maunouzi presents the first four episodes of For the Win (NTR, NPO Zapp). In Our House on Mars (KRO-NCRV), we journey into space, while Besties (BNNVARA) follows two friends navigating a new school in Rotterdam. Flying Hummelo (NTR, NPO Zapp) takes us from the big city to the countryside of the Achterhoek. In Twente, the preschool series Geitje voor een karweitje (EO) is set.

Pol the Pirate Mouse (AVROTROS, NPO), based on the picture book by Tingue Dongelmans, is a new animated series for young children.

On top of the eleven series premieres, there’s a special Roblox Live Show, developed in collaboration with VPRO MediaLab, XR Lab, and the VPRO series Bollox. In this interactive show, children in the audience play a Roblox game that directly influences a live punk band, BUG, performing on stage.

During Zapp Pilots, three emerging creators present their new series ideas, and at the NPO Zappdoc Campus, young talent will screen their short documentaries.

For all the glam boys and girls, there’s a Glitter & Glamour Morning on Tuesday — the perfect chance to dress up and walk the red carpet in style.

Throughout the festival, Cinekid’s iconic lion awards will be handed out, on various days with a special gala and kids awards ceremony for CJP where the CJP Youth Jury Award will be presented, and the brandnew CJP Cinekid Ambassador for the coming year will be announced.

In the southern part of the Netherlands, the autumn break begins on Saturday, October 11, with Cinekid programming rolling out in multiple cinemas across the country.In Amsterdam, autumn break starts a week later, preceded by the Cinekid School Program. On Sunday, October 12, Amsterdam will host the festive opening, and from Saturday, October 18, the festival will be in full swing. For the fifth year in a row, Pathé Amsterdam Noord will be the main festival location, home to the largest Cinekid MediaLab in the country — a massive 1,000 m² space filled with media installations, workshops, and games.

More than 40 cinemas across the Netherlands and Curaçao will participate in Cinekid Festival this year, including seven satellite theaters featuring their own MediaLabs.

For nearly 40 years, Cinekid Festival has taken place every autumn break — the world’s largest children’s film and media festival. Featuring the latest films, series, games, media installations, workshops, and masterclasses, the festival brings wonder, fun, and inspiration to children across the Netherlands. Cinekid aims to spark imagination, offer joy, and support the development of children into independent, conscious, and thoughtful global citizens. In addition to the public festival, Cinekid also hosts a professional program for industry members working in national and international youth media. Throughout the year, Cinekid reaches thousands of children with public and educational initiatives. Thanks to the support of funds and partners Cinekid will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year.

Cinekid Festival will take place this year from October 11 to 26, 2025.